​Thousands of children to benefit from food vouchers and extra support this Christmas

Education leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to ensure that no families go hungry over the Christmas period.

The council has prioritised funding to ensure that all schools across the borough are able to provide vouchers to families of children eligible for free schools meals.

Vouchers worth £15 per week have been supplied to families in the run-up to the festive holidays which can be redeemed at major supermarkets.

Around 6,000 children are entitled to free school meals in Bury. In addition, the council is providing vouchers and/or food parcels to many more vulnerable families who are not eligible for free school meals, recognising that many more families will find themselves in difficulty over the Christmas period. This includes financial support and help towards utility bills.

Councillor Tamoor Tariq, cabinet member for children’s services, young people and skills, said: “This long pandemic has brought huge disruption to people’s lives, especially those families who were already struggling to make ends meet and need support more than ever.

"No child should ever go to bed hungry, and we are determined to ensure that no child does. I hope this support will help Bury families to have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 23 December 2020.